CalL1 Stockton Ports

Late Nuts Comeback Upends Ports

Published on April 22, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.-After playing six innings with only one hit, the Stockton Ports tied up the game with the Modesto Nuts in the eighth inning, 3-3. But the Ports bullpen, which has been reliable to date, allowed eight earned runs in the top of the ninth. The reigning California League champions were unable to come-from-behind again in the ninth, and lost their fourth straight contest.

Pat Currin, who had a 5.2 scoreless streak entering the game allowed six earned runs on three hits to pick up his first loss of the season for the Ports (1-12). Dan Thomas also allowed a pair of runs in the ninth, as the Nuts (9-4) pulled ahead to win the game 11-3. Sean Jarrett was awarded the win for the game, after blowing a save by allowing Stockton to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Nuts were the first to strike, posting three runs in the third inning. Charlie Blackmon led things off with a triple to right-center field. Michael Mitchell then walked to put runners on the corners for the Nuts. With two out, Brian Rike hit a double down the left field line to score Blackmon. Radames Nazario brought home Mitchell and Rike with a single to right field to put the Nuts ahead.

Ports starter Craig Italiano and relievers Chad Kerfoot and Steven Sharpe kept Modesto under control from the fourth through eighth innings. Kerfoot worked 2.0 innings of scoreless, hitless ball, while Sharpe did not allow a hit in his one inning of work.

Southpaw Modesto starter Kenneth Durst was nearly unhittable, working 6.2 innings and allowing just two hits and one earned run. He allowed just a single to center fielder Larry Cobb in the second inning before surrendering a single to second baseman Michael Richard in the seventh inning. Richard came around to score when left fielder Todd Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Rike, making it 3-1 Nuts after seven innings.

The bottom of the eighth inning began with Sean Jarrett on the mound with a 3-1 lead. He gave up a leadoff single to Jermaine Mitchell, whose hitting streak now sits at seven games. Mitchell was followed on base by Frank Martinez, who walked. Dante Love then sacrifice bunted to move the runners into scoring position. Alex Valdez broke an 0x30 hitless streak with a single, bringing home Mitchell to make the score 3-2. Shane Keough stepped up to the plate and reached on a fielder's choice which put out Valdez, but allowed Martinez to score. Richard grounded out to end the inning, but the Ports had a 3-3 tie.

Ports manager Aaron Nieckula then brought in right-handed pitcher Pat Currin to pitch the ninth inning. The six batters Currin faced all reached base. Lars Davis singled, and Maikol Gonzalez made a sacrifice bunt and reached as the fielder tried to put out Davis at second. With both runners safe, Jeff Cunningham walked to load the bases with no out. Kevin Clark came into the game as a pinch hitter for the Nuts, and hit a two-RBI single to put Modesto ahead, 5-3.

Charlie Blackmon became the fifth batter of the inning and was hit by a pitch to load the bases again. Another two-RBI single, by Mitchell, made the score 7-3 with no out. Nieckula replaced Currin with Thomas after Mitchell singled. Thomas walked Cox, and the bases remained loaded. Rike singled, and brought home two more batters, to extend the Modesto lead to six runs. Nazario walked to load the bases again with no out. Stockton brought in left-handed pitcher Derrick Gordon to stop the bleeding, and he accomplished just that. Davis came back to the plate, and reached on a fielder's choice that retired Nazario, but allowed Cox to score. A sacrifice fly by Gonzalez brought home the eleventh run for Modesto, and Gordon retired Cunningham to end the inning.

In their half of the ninth, the Ports worked to continue their come-from-behind efforts, but fell short. Spencer flew out to the center fielder Mike Mitchell to lead off the ninth. Johnson singled and Cobb was hit by a pitch to put two on with one out, but Mitchell and Martinez both flew out to end the game.

The Ports will face Modesto at 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday at Banner Island Ballpark in their final game of the series and their opening homestand. RHP Scott Hodsdon (0-1, 8.22) will take on RHP Cory Riordan (0-1, 6.52) for the first Ports Education Day and Taking Care of Business Day.

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California League Stories from April 22, 2009


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